Fortu, a new concept from local restaurateur Shan Bakrac, will debut at 95 Central Ave. sometime this winter. The Beach Drive-adjacent space was formerly home to popular tapas bar and restaurant Ceviche, which now resides a few blocks away at 332 Beach Dr. NE.
St.Pete sorely miss the Latin dancing nights at Ceviche's old basement in the historic Ponce de Leon Hotel, so perhaps Fortu's extensive Asian fusion menu will win them over.
St. Pete Rising detailed Fortu's eclectic menu of various cuts of steak—including highly-coveted and expensive Japanese wagyu—Korean fried chicken, locally-sourced seafood dishes, dumplings and high end sushi platters and more. Its upscale fusion menu will be accompanied by an extensive list of signature cocktails (with a focus on aged Japanese whiskey), in addition to expected beer, sake and wines.
Renderings for the restaurant depict Fortu's sleek interior, which includes touches of Japanese-inspired decor like cherry blossoms, lanterns and a wood slatted ceiling.
Fortu will soon join the ranks of other popular Asian fusion concepts in The Burg', like the newly opened Green Pagoda, Mangosteen, Good Fortune, and resident food truck Shiso Crispy.
Shan Bakrac, who also owns downtown concept Top Slice Pizzeria and the soon-to-open Black Cattle Burger, will own and operate Fortu under the newly-formed Benson Hospitality Group, according to SPR.
Renderings for the restaurant depict Fortu's sleek interior, which includes touches of Japanese-inspired decor like cherry blossoms, lanterns and a wood slatted ceiling.
Ceviche utilized this basement for late night dancing and partying, but Fortu will open a cocktail bar out of the space sometime next year, after the restaurant itself opens.
Follow its newly-formed Instagram page at @forturestaurant for the latest update on downtown St. Pete’s newest hotspot, slated to open either at the end of this year or early 2023. Fortu will soon join the ranks of other popular Asian fusion concepts in The Burg', like the newly opened Green Pagoda, Mangosteen, Good Fortune, and resident food truck Shiso Crispy.
